Irene Bunnell, 94

Irene passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at Sanford Care Center, Chamberlain, South Dakota, at the age of 94.

Funeral services for Irene Bunnell, 94, of Oacoma, SD was held 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2022 at the Community Center in Oacoma, SD with burial at Graceland Cemetery in Oacoma, SD.

Irene Jane Harmon Bunnell was born March 4, 1928 in Chamberlain, South Dakota to Ruth Irene (Ransford) Harmon and Charles Franklin Harmon. She was the oldest of 11 children. Irene lived her entire life in the Chamberlain/ Oacoma area.

A previous article written by Amy Blum for the Homespun Tagline describes Irene’s humble life:

Today, premature or especially tiny babies receive top-notch care in highly specialized facilities. In 1928, 3-pound 4-ounce Irene Harmon of Oacoma was wrapped in cotton for two weeks and sent home in a shoebox and warm water bottles to keep her warm. Some might say she was born tough. “I’m not sure why, but I had a heck of a time getting a birth certificate. There was no proof I existed except for the fact I was breathing.” Born tough, Irene carried the weight of being the oldest child and became the family’s sole provider when her father was injured for a brief time. She worked at the original Rainbow Café in Chamberlain and walked to work from American Island where the family lived. Irene thought little of the trials she experienced and holds tight to the memories. Like the time an oncoming train scared the daylights out of the horse-pulling cart in which her and siblings rode home from school. The self-taught seamstress spent her late teen years on American Island with her family. She would clean the Island’s tourist cabins. “Oh that island was quite the place, it was so pretty with a race track and swimming pool.” The article concluded with Irene saying, “I started out here in Chamberlain/Oacoma and I will end here too. This is just a real good place to be. The people are very nice, and I hold a lot of memories.”

Irene married Derald Gene Bunnell on September 8, 1947 and they had seven children together.

Surviving are her children Linda/Bill Stallman, Derald Bunnell, Glenda Braun, Doug/ Cindy Bunnell, Della Meagher, Valerie Giedd Suko, all from the Chamberlain/Oacoma area and Gayle/Jim Neisen of Rapid City. Brothers James Harmon of Oacoma and Donald/Liz Harmon of Spearfish also survive her. Twenty grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild share her loving legacy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gene Bunnell, her sisters Alice Hutmacher and June Schooler McGuire, and brothers Gene Harmon, Kenny Harmon, Glen Harmon, Charles Harmon, Ralph Harmon, and Wayne Harmon. Son-in-laws preceding her in death were Robert “Bob” Braun and Donnie Meagher.

Irene was a kind, gentle spiritual soul who touched many lives in her earthly journey. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her, especially her children. The beautiful memories will live in the hearts of many.